Trailer Flavored Kool Aid
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I have a question, can i convert the stock 416 axle to spring over? It looks like all i have to do is unbolt the brake back plate from the axle and rotate them 180 degrees. Then just put the stock spring plate/shock mount on top of the spring. Am I way off base? 'cuz i have already done this, i just haven't put it back under the trailer yet.
I'll have new rear leaf shackles here later this week and i'm just about ready to remount the axle. The frame has been stripped, sanded and painted so if i can flip the suspension i'll have the frame done this weekend and i can start on stripping the tub.
I'll have new rear leaf shackles here later this week and i'm just about ready to remount the axle. The frame has been stripped, sanded and painted so if i can flip the suspension i'll have the frame done this weekend and i can start on stripping the tub.
xcmountain80
Expedition Leader
Frame, axle and wheels are all reassembled and painted. The spring over is complete but i need to find a way to deal with the hand brake since the cable is now to short. I sits a little low in the front with the SOA, maybe it will settle some when the tub goes back on.
I have a couple ideas on how to adapt the hand brake linkage but if anyone has pictures of how they dealt with the cable retainers that hold the cable "ends" to the frame that would be great.
I also picked up some tow hooks and a spare tire hoist at the Pick-n-pull yesterday. I think i will mount the hooks on the frame at the rear as recovery points. I want to hang the spare tire under the frame but i'm still trying to decide on front or rear. The rear would be easier to access but i don't want to mess up the tongue weight when the trailer is empty, input from the peanut gallery would be appreciated.
I have a couple ideas on how to adapt the hand brake linkage but if anyone has pictures of how they dealt with the cable retainers that hold the cable "ends" to the frame that would be great.
I also picked up some tow hooks and a spare tire hoist at the Pick-n-pull yesterday. I think i will mount the hooks on the frame at the rear as recovery points. I want to hang the spare tire under the frame but i'm still trying to decide on front or rear. The rear would be easier to access but i don't want to mess up the tongue weight when the trailer is empty, input from the peanut gallery would be appreciated.
Ford Prefect
Expedition Leader
I know very little about trailers, but I am working on one myself. With your concept of the spare....
Do you think that you could put is slightly forward of the axle, and hang it right above the axle? The reason I ask is because I think that would be the least likely place to cause an issue on the trails. If you are going to drag that thing over any rocks at all, well, I have had to slide my axle over rocks that the tires just did not reach the ground anymore. So if you found yourself in that place you would also find the tire pushing against the rocks, getting cuts and knicks, and perhaps even stalling your forward progress. With the SOA lift I should think that the chances of the axle touching the tire would be minimal at best.
Again, speculation, so, sorry if I am wrong there...
Do you think that you could put is slightly forward of the axle, and hang it right above the axle? The reason I ask is because I think that would be the least likely place to cause an issue on the trails. If you are going to drag that thing over any rocks at all, well, I have had to slide my axle over rocks that the tires just did not reach the ground anymore. So if you found yourself in that place you would also find the tire pushing against the rocks, getting cuts and knicks, and perhaps even stalling your forward progress. With the SOA lift I should think that the chances of the axle touching the tire would be minimal at best.
Again, speculation, so, sorry if I am wrong there...
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I decided to go SOA to increase my approach and departure angles, and provide extra clearance for the undermounted spare. I'm kinda leaning towards mounting the spare in front of the axle to maintain a slightly forward weight bias when the trailer is empty. although that might interfere with future plans to mount a water tank underneath. I also want the tire underneath to help keep the COG low when i add a basket rack up top. Directly over the axle seems like the most nuetral spot for it but i don't want to have to crawl underneath and bench press a tire to get it stowed.
Origianlly the spare was mounted on the front of the trailer and it towed great when empty, but it interfered with the swing out tire carrier on the jeep and the rear lift hatch. I considered matching the trailer wheels and tires to the jeep so I would only have to carry one spare but that is cost prohibitive right now, and I have been on trips where I had flats on both the trailer and the tow vehicle.
Ford Prefect
Expedition Leader
Personally I am thinking about matching the tires to the vehicle as well, but not so I can carry only one spare. I think with six onthe ground it is wise to bring two spares, but on the other hand I have had friends get two flats in one day, and then you are buggered.
You meantioned having to bench press the tire into place... Is that not what the hoist is for? I mean, if the hoist can reach the ground that would not be a concern, and if it can not then you will be bench pressing it no matter where you mount it.
Never the less, show us where you do end up putting it, won't you?
Cheers
Brian
You meantioned having to bench press the tire into place... Is that not what the hoist is for? I mean, if the hoist can reach the ground that would not be a concern, and if it can not then you will be bench pressing it no matter where you mount it.
Never the less, show us where you do end up putting it, won't you?
Cheers
Brian